Chief Medical Scientist

Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a private hospital providing a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. The Laboratory provides a range of inpatient and outpatient services and this role is important in making a significant contribution, developing and maintaining best practice in the Laboratory services.

About the Role

The role is responsible for the provision of quality Biochemistry and Haematology service in line with standards of laboratory practice. As a key leader of the frontline team, the Chief Medical Scientist will demonstrate professional competence, team working skills and facilitate effective communication and leadership with colleagues in the laboratory and hospital. The position requires a participatory approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the management of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives.

Duties will include:

General

• Maintain throughout the Hospital, awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities.
• Participate in implementing the Pathology Laboratory service that supports the clinical needs of our patients and is consistent with the mission, vision, values and strategic plan of the Hospital.
• Facilitate and promote effective communication with colleagues, patients, visitors and multi-disciplinary team as necessary, ensuring patient confidentiality is respected and maintained at all times.
• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of the hospital
• Identify opportunities for the development of services that will improve the care of patients.
• Maintain teamwork and act in accordance with the hospitals disciplinary policy.

Operational and Technical Management

• Effectively lead the Haematology and Biochemistry laboratory teams to perform routine, and specialised work to the highest professional standards.
• Be responsible for the quality of their own and their team's work, and carry out their duties in strict accordance with laboratory and Hospital policies and procedures.
• Observe the strictest confidence when dealing with all aspects of patient or hospital information.
• Act as deputy to the Laboratory Manager if required.
• To carry out functions of LIS Super User for the Meditech system.
• Manage the day-to-day technical and operational functions of the Haematology and Biochemistry laboratory with support for other disciplines as required also.
• Management of contingency planning and periods of downtime, with co-ordination of staff, workload and required resolution actions.
• High level technical / clinical support and oversight for Senior Medical Scientists.
• Participate in leading and training a team of skilled staff, creating and promoting healthy working relationships.
• Participate with the Consultant Head of Department and Laboratory Manager in identifying and implementing operational processes to the standard of 'best practice' in order to optimise use of resources.
• Participate, as required, with the Consultant Head of Department and Laboratory Manager in costing methods for the department laboratory service to other Hospital Department / Clinical Units.
• Participate in the implementation and ongoing management of the quality management system for Haematology and Biochemistry, which is patient centred and which measures and audits performance and user satisfaction.
• As part of the laboratory management team, ensure that the Haematology and Biochemistry is compliant with ISO15189 and Article 14 and 15 relevant EU Directives and JCI requirements.
• Attendance and co-ordinated contribution to relevant departmental and hospital meetings as required.
• Contribute in ensuring that systems for the provision of services are satisfactory and that they are timely and economically utilised.
• Auditing of all practices in compliance to relevant standards
• Ensure that services are based on the latest research findings and constitute best practice.
• Contribute to ensuring that services are based on the latest research findings and constitute best practice.
• Ensure participation and active management of IQC and EQA for Haematology and Biochemistry with adherence to related QMS procedures.
• Participate in the provision of appropriate statistical and management information. Provide appropriate statistical analysis for the Annual management review, INAB and JCI.
• As part of the Laboratory Management team, and with the support of the human resources department manage the staff resources ensuring that staffing levels and skill mix are appropriate and within the resources allocated.
• Promote a professional, punctual and dedicated team with good open communications
• Create and promote healthy working relationships and stimulate initiative among Laboratory staff.
• Motivate team members on a day-to day basis, by agreeing goals and objectives, in keeping with the laboratory development plan.

IT Management

• Make the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner, which integrates well with systems throughout the organization.
• Act as a Laboratory Meditech LIS Super User, and with the support of the ICT department:
• Ensure the staff make the most effective and efficient use of developments in information technology for both patient care and administrative support in a manner which integrates well with systems throughout the hospital.
• Collect, interpret and present data and information, as appropriate and required, on the department's activity, staffing and expenditure.
• Ensure the IT systems are validated for use and for traceability.
• Manage all changes made to the LIS according to laboratory Change Control procedures.
• Maintain and develop the LIS according to the needs and requirements of the Laboratory. 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor in Science Honours Degree from the University of Dublin/DIT, Kevin Street. or
• BSc in Biomedical Science from the joint University College Cork-Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) course or;
• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences in DIT, Kevin Street or CIT, awarded prior to 1994 or;
• Certificate in Medical Laboratory Sciences of DIT or CIT or Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology, awarded prior to 1997 or;
• Possess a recognised qualification at least equivalent to (a), (b), (c) or (d) above

And 

• MSc In Biomedical Science 
• CORU Registration 

And 

• Be a member of, or eligible for membership of the Academy of Medical Laboratory Science (MAMLS) 
• Minimum 7 years' experience with 3 of these in a Senior position.
• Good working knowledge Pathology Services
• Working knowledge of ISO15189 standards and relevant national guidelines
• Active experience with management of QMS
• Experience in training/supervision of junior staff/students/assistants

The Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities Employer. If you require assistance due to a disability during the recruitment process, please email smaddock@hermitageclinic.ie